Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Representative Leila de Lima has blasted the complaints filed by Atty. Manases “Mans” Carpio against lawmakers and officials backing the impeachment efforts, calling it a clear act of harassment designed to deflect from the core controversies surrounding Vice President Sara Duterte.
De Lima issued the remarks after attending a preliminary investigation at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office on Friday. The case, initiated by Carpio—the Vice President’s husband—alleges violations of the Bank Secrecy Law and the Anti-Money Laundering Act concerning the supposed unauthorized opening of his bank records.
The lawmaker stood firm, linking the legal action directly to a strategy of political diversion.
“Tulad ng pagsasampa ni Manases Carpio ng kaso laban sa Saballa et al complainants, maliwanag na ito’y panlilihis lang sa mga alegasyon na ayaw harapin ni VP Sara,” De Lima said.
“Isa itong harassment sa mga mambabatas at sa mga indibidwal na ginagampanan ang tungkulin sa pagsusulong ng impeachment bilang mekanismo ng pananagutan na nakasaad sa ating Konstitusyon,” the lady solon added.
Carpio’s sweeping legal complaint targets a high-profile roster of legislators and regulatory chiefs. Aside from De Lima, the respondents include Akbayan Representatives Chel Diokno and Perci Cendaña, and Batangas 1st District Representative Gerville Luistro, who chairs the crucial House Committee on Justice.
Financial regulators were not spared, with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli Remolona, AMLC Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura, Securities and Exchange Commission Chief Francis Lim, and Insurance Commissioner Reynaldo Regalado also named in the suit.
Despite the heavy charges, De Lima expressed full confidence that the complaints would ultimately be dismissed, drawing parallels to her previous high-stakes political battles.
“Hindi tayo maduduwag na harapin ito dahil wala naman tayong nilalabag na batas. Wala tayong pinagtatakpan. Wala tayong itinatago,” she asserted.
“Tinakot, ginipit at pinatatahimik na rin ako noon ng mga ayaw lumabas ang katotohanan. Wala pa ring nagbago: Hindi ako pasisindak. Hindi ko ito uurungan. Patuloy tayong maninindigan. Pananagutin natin ang mga umabuso at patuloy pa ring umaabuso sa kapangyarihan,” De Lima added.